I STILL want to be mortgage free - 2011!

cha97michelle

I realise i am so impatient when my new diary is already on page 15. Happy new year and happy new diary.

twinklie

spidystrider wrote: »

2011 could really be the start of a completely new life. I hope everything works out for you, no matter what path you choose to go down.

Its defo the start of new possibilities. We wouldn't leave the UK for 2 years at least though because my DH needs to finish his PhD. Needs/wants...same thing.

Tomorrow is going to be a crazy old day. Need to be at the airport for the flight which is at 11am (Mountain time) from Denver to Newark. Then we fly from Newark back home at 7.35pm (EST) landing back in the UK Monday 7.30am (GMT). We'll probably get back home about 10.30 am.

Then we need to sort the house out to make it Belle proof again. Ha ha. Then pick up the little monster from kennels (I'm very excited about that)! I can't believe I have to be in school on Tuesday though. Boo.

My second in department role runs out in August as well, so I need to figure out how I'm going to boost my income, when I lose my TLR allowance. Is it worth looking for another job? Is there extra work I could do at home? I'm already signed up for exam marking although I've still not done any yet...fingers crossed for the summer season.

Any suggestions for upping my income would be gratefully received.

summerday

Hi Twinklie,

Happy New Year. Could you do some private tutoring to earn extra?, for qualified teachers it can be a fairly lucrative way of earning extra out of school hours

twinklie

Back safe and sound...and very tired. Ended up having to pay an extra day at the kennels for Belle because we were a but late picking her up. But then they presented us with this monster dog and claim its Belle. I tried to explain I left a cute little puppy...but they say that's what happens. Puppies grow into giant monsters! Who knew?

I'm writing on my phone atm so will update later when I get the chance on my laptop.

wynnvegas

Hi Twinklie,

Great idea to kick off a fresh diary. Becoming mortgage free is great fun and moving to the states would be a dream for me too. I'll read with great interest your musings on what the process involves with getting references and hopefully getting in and green carded. I need to get Moyra on board with the idea but that's not likely in the next few years. She's a science teacher (biology) as well so it will be good to hear about your career movements if you do choose to go and keep working. I fancy doing a DBA at some point but going back into full-time education at the moment isn't doable for a number of reasons. We might aim to shoot away when we hit 40 or somewhere about there. The very best of luck to you both.

Cheers,

Billy

twinklie

Right finally on my computer but not got the energy or brain power to sort anything out...stupid jetlag!!

Anyhoo, this week I intend to do the following (in no particular order):

1. Complete SOA
2. [STRIKE]Complete Aims for the year[/STRIKE]
3. Update cash flow chart
4. [STRIKE]Input electric and gas readings[/STRIKE]
5. Provide a summary of my thoughts that makes sense :rotfl:
6. Pay off the credit cards where possible
7. Double check savings/money/bills are all present and correct
8. [STRIKE]Chase up/keep an eye on the car hire claim (I'll explain another day)[/STRIKE] Sorted getting a full refund :j
9. [STRIKE]Get organised for the rest of the week at work[/STRIKE]
10. File bills etc appropriately
11. Start working through the washing Started but there is LOTS
12. Try and complete work on MA assignment
13. Complete tax return for MS
14. Write kennels cheque for £17 and post it
15. Cuddle and play with Belle as much as possible to make up for being RUBBISH! Unfortunately I'm doing such a good job with this one that I'm failing on the others. :rotfl:

I know it looks a fair bit but most of it shouldn't take too long, some I have to do anyway and there are bits that can get put off (and likely will - just remembered it's options evening at school this week...boo).

Really looking forward to about 4.30 on Friday....I'm hoping to be home for the weekend then. Ha ha.

[Deleted User]

whew- what a list for what is presumably first week back at work!
glad you had a good hol- how exciting too about the prospect of moving - what a lovely idea to start off the new year with

twinklie

Ok so I've spent just under £130 today and thats only the weekly shop and filling up the car. Oh and £24 on Belles treats. Nobody told me about the VAT rise so I didn't do it yesterday. Doh! :eek:

It was the first day back at work today and I got to use my superdooper wheelie bag to help with my laptop etc. Nobody was impressed - I was a bit disappointed, I wanted an "ooooh" or an "ahhhh".

Right, gas and electric readings are done, as is the shopping etc for the week (phew...I hate that bit). I've also done my aims for the year BUT I'm not sure they make much sense. May need to redo them at some point. There is obviously the looking into the whole US saga as well, but I don't think I'll be able to do that research until at least Feb half term. Well, not in the kinda depth I want to do, I've just too many other things on.

Must start making more progress through that bloomin list of mine though as the week goes on. Still feeling a little jet lagged though and so I'm going to give myself a bit of a break for now. I think going shopping after work for myself and Belle as well as filling up is enough. I have DH home until Thursday morning as well which is nice and will make things a bit easier. Although he's REALLY jet lagged, and makes me look the picture of cleverness at the minute. Ha ha

twinklie

summerday wrote: »

Happy New Year. Could you do some private tutoring to earn extra?, for qualified teachers it can be a fairly lucrative way of earning extra out of school hours

Hmmm....this is something I've thought about BUT I don't like the idea of going round to someone elses house that I don't know and my house is totally unsuitable.

I'm going to try and pick up more mystery shops and also recycle old mobile phones. A few quid here or there from that surely!!

twinklie

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

happy new 'fred' Twinklie!

OMG...I only just got this. I was thinking why saying I got Fred?? I don't even know who that is! :rotfl: Man I really am blonde! The worse bit is - I've been thinking about it ever since I actually read it! Doh!

Anyhoo, I appear to have no work to do tonight....well nothing pressing that won't wait anyway. I could finish the 11 year 11 reports I still have to write....hmmm.

Got me a pizza MS for Saturday night - I'm chuffed with that but seem to be struggling to pick anything else up. Stupid school gets in the way - although that does pay more! Ha ha. I'm also really tired and can't believe it's options evening tomorrow. I REALLY can't be bothered. Looks like my MASSIVE list was a tad ambitious and might be spread over 2 weeks now. :mad: